METALOG training tools

Learning project. There it is, lying on the ground at the group’s feet, the complex labyrinth. Puzzled looks. A real challenge! Just as in daily life, the focus is at first on the task, the “what” that has to be done. If the “how” gets overlooked, the project team will soon hit a dead end because, just as at the start of a real project, the first thing to do is to make sure you have the overview. “How will we use our resources?” And, of course, the main question: “How do we have to organise ourselves in order to crack this nut?” This learning project is the perfect metaphor for the best way of dealing with complexity.

Procedure. A control team and an action team have the task of finding their way through the labyrinth. The correct route follows the colour sequence red – yellow – green. After an initial phase of planning and assigning roles, the teams try to find the correct route – at first from outside because they are not allowed to enter the labyrinth. They are only allowed to step onto the field after a specified amount of time has passed. In order to help them, individual members of the action team can be placed on the labyrinth to act as “milestones” and “dead ends”. Regular team review meetings allow progress to be followed. The project is deemed completed when the action team has placed a marker rope on the correct route.